Vibrator



Nov. 24, 1931.

w. BROAD VIBRATOR Filed April 17. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet y E lNViQTOR 25% 4 '1 5 44- 4 Nov. 24, 1931. w. BROAD 1,833,107

VIBRATOR Filed April 17,- 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE' WILLIAM BROAD, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HARRY E; 7 OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA r r VIBRATOR Application filed. April 17,

My invention relates to vibrators, and more particularly to vibrators for massaging the limbs and torso of a patient. 7

In massaging the limbs and torso of a patient, relatively heavy blows are required from the vibrator as compared With the blows delivered by a vibrator adapted for application to the more tender portions of a patients body, such as the face. In the latter type of vibrator, rapid and relatively light blows are delivered for improving the circulation in the flesh near the outer surface thereof. 7

In massaging the limbs and torso of a patient, it is frequently desired to massage muscles lying at some distance from the surface. Occasion frequently arises for massaging groups of muscles that collectivelyvform a tough cored. Efiective treatment of such portions of the body requires that a relatively heavy blow be delivered to the patient opposite the area being treated. V

Vibrators of the general class towhich this invention relates are usually designed to operate on a standard alternating-current electric light circuit. The most common frequency of such alternating currents is sixty cycles. Fire regulations; require that household appliances which are adapted for interchangeable use on ordinary light circuits shall take but a few amperes.

Accordingly, the power available at a freuency of sixty (60), cycles is insufficient to eliver the required heavy blows when the vibrator is applied to the body of a patient. To reduce the number of strokes deliveredby the vibrator, and thereby enable the vibrator to deliver a more effective blow at each stroke,

I provide a rectifier in circuit with the vibrator that reduces the number of strokes delivered by the vibrator to approximately onehalf the frequency of the alternating electrical current supplied to thevibrator. o

i The accompanying drawings illustrate the present preferred embodiment of the invention, in which: e

Figure 1 is an elevational view partially in section of a vibrator embodying my invention, s a

Figure 2is a similar view taken at substanthe base 12.

magnet is supported by screws 19 that extend 1928. Serial No. 270,670.

flatly fi e' t6 e View Shown in Fi V ure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the section line III-III of Figurel; and Figure l is a sectional view taken alon" the section line IVIV' of Figure 2 and screws 4", is a handle 5 preferably dis osed on y the end 6 of the casing and at subs antially the center of the casing. The handle 5 formed'by a grip 7, preferably of electrical insulating characteristics such as hard rubber or molded phenolic condensation prodr.

A bolt or rod '8 extends longitudinally through the grip 7 for securing the ends of a metallic strap 9 of U shape in depressions formed at the ends thereof The strap 9 is provided with openings 10 through which the screws 4 extend. An electro nagnet 1'1 iscarried by a base 12 of non-magnetic material such as copper or a copper alloy, secured by screws 14 to the inner surface of the end 6. The electromagnet 11 comprises a air of windings 15 mounted on a core 16. T e core 16 is supported by screws 17 that extend into The armature 18 for the electrothrough a metallic strap 20 overlying layers armature through a block 22 of non-magnetic material such as copper or a copper alloy, and are imbedded in a vibrating ele nent inthe form of'a lid or cover 24 for the vibrator. The cover 24: is provided on its inner surface with a plate 25, the ends of which are provided with bosses 26. The plate 25r-is secured to the cover 24 by screws -27. Pintles 28 extend through openings in lugs 29 projecting inwardly from the base 12 along a center line' of the casing 2. V The pintles are threaded into the bosses 26 and are the handle.

provided with lock nuts externally of the lugs 29.

With the foregoing construction, the lid or cover 24 is adapted to turn about the pintles 28 upon the attraction of the armature 18 to the core 16. The amount of turning movement of the lid 24 is controlled by a resilient block 31, seated in a ferrule 32 having a threaded extension 34 for making a threaded engagement with the material of the cover 24 and the cooperating resilient block 35, seated in a ferrule 36 carried by a screw 37 extending through a threaded sleeve 38 in the end 6.

The screw 37 is provided with a knurled head 39 disposed externally of the casing 2. The ferrule 36 is carried by a leaf spring 40 that tends to hold the resilient block 35 in engagement with theblock 31. By adjusting the position of the head 39 and the screw 37, the relative position of the blocks 31 and 35 is varied, thereby controlling the clockwise turning movement, as viewed in Figure 3, of the cover 24 about the pintles 28. If desired, a small space may be left between the blocks 31 and 35.

Return movement of the cover 24, upon the release of the armature 18 by the electromagnet, is secured by separate blocks 41 and 42 disposed on the opposite side of the casing from the blocks 31 and 35. Block 41 is adjustably supported by a screw 43 having a knurled head 44 of a construction and operation similar to that of the screw 37 and head 39. The block 41 is kept in engagement with the block 42 and under such pressure as to tend to move the lid 24 in a clockwise direction about the pintles, as viewed in Figure 3. The cover 24 is provided with threaded openings 45 for the reception of stems 46 for applicators 47.

The applicators 47 are preferably disposed on opposite sides of the handle 5 for applying uniform pressure to each applicator from The exact shape of the applicators may be varied as desired by removing the stems 46 from the openings 45 and inserting the stems of other type of applicators. The flat surface of the vibrating elements may be used on the body of a patient with applicator if desired. lVith the foregoing construction, the cover 24 is alternately turned in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, by the attraction between the core 16 and the armature 18 and in a clockwise direction by the expansion of the blocks 41 and 42, the latter being compressed when the cover 24 is turned in a counter-clockwise direction by the action of the electromagnet.

Accordingly, each applicator 47 turns about the pintles 28 to deliver a blow to a patient upon each operating cycle of the armature 18 to and fromthe core 16. By reason of the size of the applicator and by reason of the nature of the service for which the vibrator is intended, namely, that of applying powerful blows to the limbs and torso of a patient, I find that better operation is obtained by operating the vibrator upon an alternating current having a frequency less than the common sixty (60) cycle frequency. Accordingly, I provide a current rectifier 48 in circuit with the electromagnet. A copper oxide rectifier is suitable for reducing the frequency of the current although it is to be understood that other types of rectifiers may be used.

The rectifier 48 permits the current to traverse itself in but one direction, thereby reducing the number of pulsations of the vibrator to one-half the frequency of the alternating current applied to the rectifier. A snap switch 49 is carried by the end 6 in proximity to the handle 7 in order that an opertor can start or stop the vibrator by the motion of a finger without removing the hand from the grip 7.

Referring to Figure 4, the circuit for the vibrator extends from a terminal 50 of a plug through a conductor 51, the rectifier 48, a conductor 52, one of the windings 15, a crossover conductor 54 to the other winding 15, through the other winding 15, a conductor 55, the switch 49 ano a conductor 56, to the other terminal 57 of the plug.

While I have illustrated and described the present preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vibrator, a casing, a handle secured to one surface of the casing, a vibrating element constituting a surface of the casing opposite the handle, applicators carried by the vibrating element and disposed on opposite sides of said handle, whereby pressure applied to the handle is uniformly distributed to the applicators.

2. In a vibrator, a casing, a single handle secured to one surface thereof, a vibrating element associated with the surface of the casing substantially opposite to the handle, and applicators carried by the vibrating ele ment, said applicators being disposed on opposite sides of the plane of the handle, whereby pressure applied to the casing by the handle is distributed to the applicators.

3. A vibrator comprising a casing, a cover, a pivotal support for the cover attached intermediate the cover, means for imparting an oscillatory movement to the cover about the pivotal support, and applicators carried by the cover on opposite sides of the axis of the pivotal support for delivering a double blow during each cycle of movement of the cover.

for an end of the casing and having a disc shape with a flat outer surface, means for supporting said disc substantially along a diameter thereof, and means mounted within the casing and imparting oscillatory movement to the cover, whereby the cover oscillates about said support to impart a wavelike movement to flesh being treated.

5. A Vibrator comprising a casing, a discshaped closure member for one end of said casing and having a substantially flat outer surface, a supporting means for said closure member effective along substantially a diameter of said closure member, means mounted within the casing for oscillating said closure member, and a handle mounted on the opposite end of the casing and substantially in allnement with the axis about which the first-named closure oscillates, whereby upon 1 the application of the oscillating closure member to a patient, pressure applied to the vibrator at the handle is distributed evenly on opposite sides of the axis of oscillation of said oscillating closure, and a wave-like n10- tion of considerable pressure and surface extent is imparted to the patient.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM BROAD. 

